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Author
Topic: Bis repetita! (Read 4125 times)

Yeap, here we go again! Who's gonna win this time: Brazil or France? Tonight, at 9pm European time, Brazil will be playing France again for a place in the Semifinals of the Soccer World Cup. The last time the two teams played at this level of competition, it was at Saint Denis (near Paris), for the Final of the 1998 Soccer World Cup. France, back then, beat Brazil by three goals to nil! Needless to say, my heart was divided in between my two favorite countries in the world! And there I was, in the Stade de France, holding both flags and somehow suffering and enjoying the wonderful show.And tonight won't be any different!

Val______P.S. Hopefully Brazil will be playing Portugal in the Semis, since the English are bound to...loose their match this afternoon! ....Even worse, England will be playing France in the Semis....Oh my! God save the Queen! ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dario,Up to now, you're guessing right! The match against England was something very emotional. It is almost time for Brazil to play France! We'll see in about two hours who's playing Portugal in the Semifinal.

I think that France played superbly. They actually taught the Brazilians how to play soccer. It was sad to see for example such a superb midfielder like Kaka being unable to play his usual style. The brazilians made too many mistakes but their worst defect was individualism.

On the other hand the French had team work and co-ordination. If the French keep on playing like this they may well win the world cup. They were just fantastic. I am happy for the coach Raymond Dominich ... Now he can have his sweet revenge on the media.

Ironically I felt that the English played better after Beckham went out and Rooney was expelled. It was very frustrating to see super star footballers like Lampard and Gerrard fail their penalties.

I love the world cup! It helps me forget for few days this bug in my blood ... Thanks Gord for the question!

Logged

... when I was young, I never needed anyone, making love was just for fun, those days are gone ... Eric Carmen (Raspberries)

Hi Gord!Well, thank goodness it is over! Brazil played --- can we call it play? --- so badly and deserved to leave Germany. France's team was almost unrecognizable and played almost as beautifully as in 1998, when they won the Wordl Cup against...guess whom!I confess that I was a little bit sad about the Brazilian performance, and wished they had at least fought harder to give us a penalty shoot out or something more exciting than what they showed the world. Favoritism never really helped Brazil anyway! I do remember when I was young and stunningly good looking (I'm a very modest guy, as you can see), in 1982, and went to see my first World Cup in Barcelona. Gosh, did I have fun! Life was so different back then and Barcelona was pure magic. The stadiums were full of people from every country in the global map and everyone was having a blast!In addition to that, everything seemed so right and Brazil had one of the most wonderful team a country can put together. For the Brazilian press in general, and to a less extent to the international press, Brazil could not loose that tournament! Well, they did. And I cried and cried and cried till I realized that it was not worth crying for that cause...! Last night I didn't cry at all 'cause was somehow glad that my second home country is moving forward in the competition. Dario is right! If France keeps playing like that, I really don't see which team will be able to stop them from holding that much desired cup in Berlin on the 9th of July.

As a Canuck I dream of one day seeing a Canadian team qualifying to play.

I guess it'll take awhile. Although it gained popularity through the years, this is a fairly ignored sport by Canadians, and I'm afraid it includes myself as It doesn't do anything for I. I just can't pass over the fact I find this game boring to death.

Hey, Canuck!You know what? Soccer is a tradition sport, as I would call it! Tradition in the sense that you start playing it with your brothers (when you're little) first; next, you play at school and then in college. It is a very, very masculine kinda sport and being so creates a lot of bonds between the guys --- and girls as well, since they're playing it more often than ever. Let me emphasize this once again: "Between the guys, it does create very strong bonds!" In addition to this, there is much more to Soccer than playing ball. For example, it is an excuse to spend some time together (among guys) at the local bar sipping a beer and discussing something else. You belong to a certain team all your life and, usually, you go to the stadium together as well.Hope this gives you a slightly fair idea of what this wonderful (boring sometimes, it is true) sport is all about. Just keep in mind this: "There is much more to Soccer than just plain Soccer!" And, believe me, I do know a lil'bit of what I'm talking about here!

Une très bonne semaine à toi!Val___P.S. As for Canada to be playing in the World Cup, well, it does take a long time to compete in world class level and beat the good teams. Look at the U.S. team!___

You know what? Soccer is a tradition sport, as I would call it! Tradition in the sense that you start playing it with your brothers (when you're little) first; next, you play at school and then in college. It is a very, very masculine kinda sport and being so creates a lot of bounds between the guys --- and girls as well, since they're playing it more often than ever. Let me emphasize this once again: "Between the guys, it does create very strong bounds!" In addition to this, there is much more to Soccer than playing ball. For example, it is an excuse to spend some time together (among guys) at the local bar sipping a beer and discussing something else. You belong to a certain team all your life and, usually, you go to the stadium together as well.

What you described could be related to several other sports. the fact soccer isn't too popular in North America in general is possibly related to the fact there are a lot of professional sports to choose from such as ; Hockey, Baseball, Football ( Canadian & American ), Basketball,etc.. I have tried to watch it a few times over the years but it really doesn't do anything for me...I get bored as hell in less than 5 minutes. Don't get me wrong though, I'm feeling the same about some I just mentioned..especially football ( Canadian & American ). There's one who appears to me even more boring than soccer..it's rugby and basically unknown over here.

Growing up with a sport makes you like it - I think. I didn't grow up with soccer. I'm guessing part of soccer's appeal is knowing the stories, i.e., the individual personalities, the team rivalries, etc. Also, the players' endurance (all that endless running) and cheering /cutting loose with friends

Canuck,Of course, what I said about soccer applies to a lot of other sports too. However, what makes soccer stand out is the fact that it takes only two people to play it and have fun. And it cannot be denied that it is the most popular sport in the whole wide world. The Soccer World Cup, for example, is even more popular (and folllowed by billions) than The Olympics!Also, gathering in a bar to watch a game between rival teams such as England and Argentina; or, even corse, France against Germany is something that cannot be put into words. The atmosphere is short of being unbearable for many people, for it is really such a powerful feeling of nationalistic egotism and pride...!

Gord,I must agree with you about the home advantage the Germans have. It does count! Plus, they are a tough team to play even without the home advantage... And considering the fact that for the past ten years or so they have been up there with Brazil in every final! It is indeed as simple as that: in most of the finals of the World Cup, the other countries would play for the title either against Germany or Brazil! Italy had better watch out for them, I tell you! Being Italian by adoption (I lived in Rome for several years), I'd be inclined to cheer for Italy. On the other hand, I also lived in Munich for several months and just adore all things German! What's a man to do?Now, the goal-keeper who made the strongest impression on me throughout this tournament was Ricardo, from Portugal. He's just outstanding! Should France and Portugal go to the penalty shoot-outs, the French will be in very dire straits with this guy. I believe he can indeed save the Portuguese team.

Hey, Gord!So nice to exchange some thoughts with someone interested in the same stuf! In fact, not only do I like sports in general, but I try to practice at least four different kinds of sports every week. And it's been so from the time I attended College up to nowadays. Is it the same with you? Man, I just could not live without practicing some kind of physical activity --- yes, you can include sex in there as well ! --- at least once a week.Needless to say that I try to vary a little bit my activities so it does not become a bore! Right now, for example, I "attend" the Olympic pool every single day and attempt to swim at least two kilometers a day. Somedays, and when I'm feeling fantastic, I go for double that distance... Not easy, but feasable.Golf is also something that I just can't get enough of! I'm playing the courses almost every other day at present!Cycling, on the other hand, is something I do during the week ends. Paris is just amazing for this sport 'cause we have several and awfully varied ways to practice it. My favorites are: the seven kilometers around the Longchamps Horse Racing Stadium, in Paris; and the wonderfully paved way of the Park of Versailles, in the woods. Just awesome!Tennis is high also on my agenda, since now is the time to play the clay courts. Let's say I'm practicing it twice a week, and I have to force myself to get away from the golf courses for that... And the rest of my free-time, I spend it in the streets of Paris with my on-line rollers.How about yourself?

Thanks for the letter. It's a pleasure to meet you. You are busy guy, good for you!

I'm a bit of a gym rat, love my daily morning workout and mountain bike daily. I play and coach soccer (surprise), am an avid hiker and sail when friends need crew. I also do yoga 3 times a week.

My new workout regime is the 450 sq. ft deck I'm building. Boy do you work muscles differently when you undertake a construction project. I've alread installed the hot tub and have it running. Its become a great favourite with the guys I meet

Paris is a great city, my last visit was June 2004.

Val, I would like to better this acquaince my I send my hotmail address to you privately via your POZ account?